April 2, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The North Carolina Courage fell to the San Diego Wave, 3-1, Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium. The Courage fall to 1-1-0 on the year while the Wave improve to 2-0-0 to start the season.
The Courage handled the imposing environment well for much of the first half, leading in possession and shots. But the Wave pounced on a loose ball that led to a clean look on goal with just five minutes left in the period and Jaedyn Shaw took advantage to give the home side the lead.
Another intercepted pass put Alex Morgan in behind in the first five minutes of the second half, and she would strike to double the Wave advantage. A VAR review led to a handball penalty against the Courage in the 73′ and Morgan converted to put the match seemingly out of reach.
Kerolin Nicoli drew a penalty just a few minutes later and would convert one of her own to get the Courage on the board. The Courage would send some crosses into the box to try and get back within a goal, but Kailen Sheridan was up to the task.
Match Notes:
The Courage allowed a goal for the first time since September 17, 2022, snapping a four-match shutout streak, dating back to last season.
The Courage have now gone winless in their last 17 matches when conceding first
San Diego becomes the first team to hold the Courage winless three straight times since moving to North Carolina.
Two more rookies made their NWSL debut Saturday in Haley Hopkins and Sydney Collins, while Olivia Wingate made her first start.
Next Match: The Courage take a week off during the international FIFA window before returning to action on April 15, when they host Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit at 7:00 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. For ticket and coverage information, visit nccourage.com.
Box Score:
NC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Emily Fox, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Kiki Pickett (Sydney Collins – 83′), Meredith Speck (Brianna Pinto – 60′), Denise O’Sullivan ©, Narumi Miura (Frankie Tagliaferri – 83′), Kerolin Nicoli, Mille Gejl (Rikke Madsen – 60′), Olivia Wingate (Haley Hopkins – 60′)
Subs Not Used: Katelyn Rowland, Malia Berkely, Clara Robbins, Tyler Lussi,
SD (4-4-2): Kailen Sheridan, Kristen McNabb, Naomi Girma, Kaleigh Riehl, Christen Westphal, Danielle Colaprico, Emily van Egmond , Jaedyn Shaw (Sofia Jakobsson – 60′), Taylor Kornieck (Kelsey Turnbow – 87′), Alex Morgan ©, Amirah Ali (Makenzy Doniak – 60′)
Subs Not…